Shloka 5
Kṛṣṇa Slays Kuvalayāpīḍa and Enters Kaṁsa’s Wrestling Arena
एवं निर्भर्त्सितोऽम्बष्ठ: कुपित: कोपितं गजम् । चोदयामास कृष्णाय कालान्तकयमोपमम् ॥ ५ ॥
evaṁ nirbhartsito ’mbaṣṭhaḥ kupitaḥ kopitaṁ gajam codayām āsa kṛṣṇāya kālāntaka-yamopamam
Так устрашённый, погонщик слона Амбаштха разгневался. Он погнал своего взбешённого слона, страшного, как Время, Смерть и Ямарадж, на Шри Кришну.
FAQs
This verse compares the charging elephant to Yama, the agent of death, yet it is being sent toward Kṛṣṇa—implying that even death-like danger is powerless before the Supreme Lord in His līlā.
After being rebuked, the mahout became angry and, in retaliation, goaded the already provoked elephant to attack Kṛṣṇa as part of Kaṁsa’s hostile scheme in Mathurā.
When confronted by intimidation or “death-like” fear, a devotee remembers Kṛṣṇa’s protection and responds with steadiness rather than panic, keeping faith that the Lord is greater than any threat.